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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Blue like Play Dough Review & Giveaway

About the book: In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

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Tricia Goyer delivers an outstanding book that quite honestly I think every woman should have. It spoke to my heart, it made me smile and nod and laugh and feel like if there ever was a book that should have been written by me or about me, this would be it.

Right in the first few pages Tricia Goyer said something that made me go "Wow!".

That made me stop and think, wait a minute she's onto something here and it peeked my curiosity.

"Even though seeking God is worthy, that doesn't mean it's easy or natural. In fact, it almost seems wrong to squeeze God into the middle of a busy, ordinary life. God is BIG. My pursuits are small. God is GLORIOUS. Scrubbing sinks and changing poopy diapers is not. Nor is pushing a shopping cart filled with teetering toiletries, humming "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" as the song plays through the store speakers.

It doesn't matter to Him that I can hardly see my desk under the piles of mail and bills and kid's craft projects. He doesn't care that I'm twenty pounds overweight (or maybe thirty, no matter what my driver's licence says). He loves me just as I am."

One thing I quickly learned with this amazing book is that I have this weird expectation of what my relationship with God should be, like it's supposed to be this perfect glittery and shiny example.

WRONG!

He wants a relationship with me, He wants me just as I am, belonging to Him is enough. What a realization, it certainly put a lot of things into perspective for me.

I've found myself changing my attitude completely since I first opened the book, starting with the fact that when I first picked it up my thought was "I have laundry that has to be done, I should clean up a bit before I sit down to read".

Again, it was my sense of having to be something that I'm not.

Tricia Goyer says something else in the first few pages that knocked the wind right out of me and made me nod empathically.

"It was not as if God says "I was going to visit you today, but I think I'll wait until you balance that checkbook, clean out your fridge, and start that Bible study you've been meaning to get around to."

Now tell me honestly how many of you giggled with that little quote? How many of you, just like me, have this crazy notion that we need to be all sparkly and clean and almost perfect before we approach God? I'm raising my hand here, I'm not ashamed to admit it.

This book has changed me and it's not often that I say that and it's not just because I'm doing a review. It's because it's the truth. Plain and Simple.

I know I suggest a lot of books in my blog, but if you can only take one of those suggestions today, I hope it's this one. This book will change your life, it will change the way you see yourself and the best part? It will strengthen your relationship with God!

56 comments:

what mom doesn't have this complex of having to get things done before taking time for herself and spending time with God. i'd love to read this :) & love the title! "the shack" revealed a new way to have an honest relationship with God to me...good stuff!sarahlee28@yahoo.com

I really enjoy Tricia's books, so I'd definitely like to check this one out. I would it enjoy it because anything that can help me be a better parent and have a better relationship with God is a good thing. :)

Hi Sandra, I don't have a blog but I love reading yours. This books sounds really interesting and I definitely want to read it. Now, to go and buy it or try to win it? I am also guilty of trying to be "squeaky clean" before I come to God. I look forward to reading thsi book and strengthening my relationship with him.

Hi Sandra...I would love to have this book for my daughter who is a young Mom and raising her son by herself. She recently found God again and had her son baptized and became a member of the Methodist Church. We are so proud of her!!

I would love to win this book! I struggle so much in getting daily Bible reading because it sees it's never quiet enough or always so much to do. I want to get better about that and be closer to God. Thanks for such a great giveaway!God bless,Amanda

so true, so very true. i would definitely love to read this book. i'm also one who thinks i need to be all "dolled" up to let God in sometimes, not realizing duh - he's the only one who doesn't mind if i don't make a fuss over myself.

thank you for telling me about this book. Quite honestly I read your posts about your Christianity, but it quickly gives me the "let's move on to a food/movie/General Hospital update...". I don't have a relationship with God. I would like to have one, but have no idea where to start. Somehow this post made be reflect and RE-READ it....maybe this is the place to start?

Oh man! What a fantastic challange! I love love being challanged from God on anything that needs to be changed or tweaked! Bring it on, I am always saying! Thankyou for sharing your struggle when it comes to your relationship with God... He does love who we are, not what we do... it's so so easy to get into that whole performance for love cycle, when He could honestly care less... He just wants us to come.. mmm, I so love that!

to be honest with you, I know more people who feel that way than one coulod imagine! I've overcome, by the Grace of God and I'd LOVE to share this book with some I've witnessed to who just don't get it! Of course, I'll read it before paying it forward! LOL! What an amazing opportunity! Thanks!

Sandra~ This summer the ladies at my church are doing a Bible study. The thing I have come away from it with is: no matter what is going on, God wants to be our number 1. It appears that the book you are reccommending is along the same lines. I would love to read it. Thanks for doing a give away!Maria at cjandthegirls@msn.com

I would love to win this book. What mom doesn't struggle with those same things running through their head? I, for one, have been struggling lately with the whole balance of mothering, being a wife, my relationship with God, dishes, work, just LIFE. Actually, it's not the balance of my time, but the thoughts going through my head that I am not doing enough somehow, as if I could just alter the whole space-time continuum and skip sleeping I could make it all fit. It's funny, isn't it, that in the whole of our day we as moms and as women we tend to feel as if we are not enough, yet sometimes TOO much at the same time?

this sounds like an awesome book to have! Any mom would be blessed to receive a copy! I'd love one, but just the fact that you are giving a copy to any mom is really great, as it is a blessing to them! Thank you for the chance at such a lovely book. Hugs and Blessings,

This book sounds so much like something I'd like to read. Since motherhood hit me between the eyes a few years ago, LOL, I've had lots of "theories" about how this is my vocation, in the religious sense, and that I need to operate as if that were really true. It's hard to make theory mesh with the day to day grind, though. I'd love to see what this book, which sounds wonderful, has to offer.

I'm a single mum to a little boy, living in Australia. I find it a constant struggle to raise him in a Godly way, when there are so many factors, internal and external that are conflicting me. In actual fact, while I have considered myself Christian for my entire life, only last week I actually gave my life to God and accepted that I am not perfect.

I just found your blog, and I am loving reading your thoughts! This book sounds like something I could use...I've always struggled keeping my focus on God as the priority over the house, the kids, the husband, and everything else. In January I found out that my parents are getting a divorce (after 30 years of marriage)and while this should be a time for me to lean on Him while I grieve, He seems to be the furthest from my mind. I am in a slump and slowly finding my focus again. The excerpts you posted are right up my alley!

The quote you posted sure opened my eyes! God is with me thru all the mess that happens here in the course of a day. I too have a habit of thinking I'll just finish this first and then I'll spend time with God. I think this book could teach me alot. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.

Hello Sandra,what a wonderful blog you have. I think I need this book as I am running on empty. Being an older Mum with married children and granchildren.......and still raising my two youngest daughters who have learning difficulties. going through menopause and hitting a brick wall with losing my passion to do all this......Still I know it is He who called me to this and it is He who will sustain me. Even if I am not chosen I pray a blessing on the recipient for I know they will be encouraged, uplifted and inspired. Bless you for your ministry of giving and blesisng others.Sandra NZ

Hi Sandra. I just found your blog by linking from a cross stitch blog I read regularly (the talented Paulette Stewart from Plum Street Samplers), and I have added your blog to my Google Reader list. Your perspective on the daily grind of raising a family, maintaining your home (and sanity), and strengthening your relationship with God is very refreshing and inspiring to me. The terrific recipes and housekeeping tips are icing on the cake. (we will be dining on Sweet and Spicy Bacon Chicken tonight, thank you) I wish that I had stumbled upon your corner of the web much sooner. I would be delighted to receive this book from you. Your endorsement has me yearning for some life-changing as well.

Hi Sandra, I know its a little late but I was wondering if I would be able to get a copy of this great book too. I'm a 22 year old mother with a 15month old son. My husband and I dont really have much money at the moment due to my husband studying and I really need some encouragement at the moment I'm struggling with it all abit at the moment and I think getting this book could help cheer me up. Thanks, God Bless and Keep smiling. Vicki.veedub_bug@hotmail.com

This sounds like a much needed book for me. I am a navy wife who stays at home with my 21 month old daughter. I just recently started my own blog to express my struggles I am experiencing (http://throughthelookingglass-laina.blogspot.com/). Your blog is refreshing. It's nice knowing I am not the only one.